Published on: April 15, 2026 20:56
According to the latest statement from Donald Trump on Wednesday, April 15 in the morning, the war in the Middle East is nearly over. The American president mentions a second round of negotiations in the coming days, and asserts that China has agreed to stop supplying weapons to Iran. He received guarantees to this effect from Chinese President Xi Jinping. But is this really the case, and what role does Beijing play in this war? France Télévisions provides an overview.
On his container ship stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, a Chinese sailor films day and night scenes of endless waiting. He even had time to see the seeds he planted grow. These images symbolize a crisis in the Middle East that is paralyzing the ship and penalizing the Chinese economy. This maritime passage is crucial for China. Before the war, 5,400,000 barrels of crude oil crossed it daily to supply China – twice as much as any other country.
The repercussions are being felt at the massive Canton Fair, one of China’s major business events. “The prices of our products have increased due to rising raw material costs. This has led to an increase in our procurement costs,” explains Li Jin, the commercial manager of a Chinese kitchen utensil manufacturer.
China has raised its voice economically after the American blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, targeting the United States: “This is dangerous and irresponsible behavior,” criticized Guo Jiakun, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday. Anger and diplomatic games between China and the United States.
In recent days, President Xi has met with Spanish, Emirati, Russian, and Vietnamese officials. “China is developing a form of opportunism by multiplying meetings and visits, and by presenting itself as a responsible and stable country compared to the United States,” points out Alice Ekman, a China specialist at the EU Institute for Security Studies (EUISS).
China is also suspected of providing Iran with means to fight back. Two ships may have transported fuel for missiles. According to the American press, China is also preparing deliveries of anti-aircraft weapons, accusations denied by China. “They have agreed not to send weapons to Iran. President Xi will give me a big hug when I go there in a few weeks,” reassured the American president on his Truth Social network. But he also threatens to use force.
This showdown between the two global powers is set to take place face-to-face at a summit bringing together Donald Trump and Xi Jinping in a month. In theory, it has already been postponed once due to the war.
